Wake (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Wake follows four semi-estranged siblings brought together for their father’s wake, where tensions with his family, an overwhelmed funeral director and unexpected chaos complicate their farewell. This 2026 American comedy-drama explores grief and family friction through an absurd, tightly confined setup.

Wake places family conflict inside one of the most emotionally difficult gatherings: a parent’s funeral. Four siblings return to say goodbye to their father, but the occasion quickly becomes a dispute over who gets to decide how that goodbye should look.

Directed and co-written by Devon Michaels, the film combines comedy and drama as the siblings contend with their father’s imposing relatives, oblivious guests and a funeral director who is uncomfortable around death. The result is a story built around grief, disorder and the possibility of renewed family connection.

Wake movie details

Story without spoilers

The film centers on four semi-estranged siblings who reunite for their father’s wake. Their already complicated return is made more difficult by clashes with his overbearing side of the family, creating a struggle over the proper way to honor him.

The gathering grows increasingly chaotic as guests fail to understand the tension around them and the funeral director’s fear of death adds another unusual complication. Within that absurd situation, the siblings are pushed into confronting one another and the meaning of their farewell without revealing how the story resolves.

What to expect

As a comedy-drama, Wake is positioned between family conflict and uncomfortable humor rather than as a straightforward funeral drama. Its premise suggests an ensemble story focused on strained siblings, competing family expectations and the unpredictable behavior that can surface during grief.

The wake provides a contained setting for escalating disagreements, while the blend of absurdity and emotional pressure leaves room for the family’s relationships to shift. The supplied premise points toward a story about whether a disruptive goodbye can create space for reconciliation.

Cast and creative team

Cole Sprouse stars as Cade. The ensemble also includes Penelope Ann Miller, Chris Parnell, Nelson Franklin, Riki Lindhome, Michael Learned, Ali Gallo, Sasha Compère and Kelly O'Malley.

Devon Michaels directs Wake and co-writes the screenplay with Kelly O'Malley. Michaels is also credited as a writer, with O'Malley joining the cast as well.

• Cole Sprouse as Cade
• Penelope Ann Miller
• Chris Parnell
• Nelson Franklin
• Riki Lindhome
• Michael Learned
• Ali Gallo
• Sasha Compère
• Kelly O'Malley

Release and production context

Wake is a United States production in English, with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It is listed as released on October 8, 2026, and is classified as a comedy and drama. The supplied production information does not name a production company.

Movies Dock view

With its funeral setting, sibling-centered premise and balance of family drama with absurd complications, Wake is built around the uneasy overlap between mourning and conflict. Its central question is whether a chaotic farewell can help a divided family find a way back to one another.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb